Snapshot Challenge

He Doesn't See Me

1. He Doesn't See Me

Snapshot Challenge: based on the picture “The Fall of Éowyn” by elizabeth wyeth. You can find it here

Where does the strength come from to see the race of life to its end? From within.

She had that strength, but used it to the wrong purpose: not to seek life, but death.

What passed through her heart, what entered her mind in her last moments? Did she seek the rest, or the destruction of her unsettled soul?

Though for many years she lived under the sickening gaze and loathsome presence of the Wormtongue, she had not come to such a pass. Her soul, though slowly battered by helplessly watching King Théoden fail, stood strong, for a while.

Éowyn! Éowyn, my sister! Why sought ye such a death on the battle field? What madness or devilry brought ye here, to fight him under whom whole armies have fallen back, dismayed?

Nay, I blame not the Lord Aragorn, for though it was at his coming that I first realized the desire for death that burned within my sister’s heart. She loved him, I know. But he is a King, puissant, mighty in deed and word. Though a daughter of Kings, valiant, steadfast, and worthy, she is not a Queen. He did not see in her the light of love; but he was sorrowful that he could not give it to her.

But all the reasons and explanations fade from me as I see my sister in the wreckage of the battle; my dearest, beloved, courageous, and steadfast sister, dead in my arms. Nothing else now matters: only to seek death in my turn, and follow her where in her sorrow she sought respite, or destruction in utmost despair. I lay her down again on the grass, and raising Gúthwinë I cry, “Death, death, death! Death take us all!” and my men answer me: death, in one terrible voice.

“Death!” I cry, “Ride, ride to ruin and the world’s ending!”

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This vignette was inspired by Sarah Brightman’s “He Doesn’t See Me” from “La Luna.”:

“When he passes me by, he’s a ray of lightlike the first drop of sun from the sky.And I know he’s a king, who deserves a queen.But I’m not a queen.And he doesn’t see me.”

You can find the full lyrics here: http://www.xs4all.nl/~josvg/cits/sb/sb9u06.html

This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.